If you’ve been playing Metroid Prime 4 Beyond and noticed those tempting Grapple Nodes hanging just out of reach, you’re going to love what comes next. The Psychic Grapple is one of the most satisfying abilities to unlock in the game—it transforms how you navigate the world and opens up tons of previously inaccessible areas.
Unlike the Psychic Lasso you picked up earlier (which lets you yank objects around), the Psychic Grapple actually lets Samus swing from Grapple Points and Nodes like some kind of armored Spider-Man. It’s essential for reaching high platforms, crossing massive chasms, and—here’s the kicker—you absolutely need it to beat the game. Let me show you exactly how to unlock this game-changing ability.
What Is Psychic Grapple in Metroid Prime 4 Beyond?
Before we dive into the how-to, let’s clear up any confusion. Psychic Grapple and Psychic Lasso are two completely different abilities:
- Psychic Lasso: Unlocked early in the game, lets you pull and manipulate certain objects
- Psychic Grapple: Unlocked later, allows you to attach to Grapple Nodes and Points to swing across gaps and reach elevated areas
Think of the Grapple as your ticket to true vertical exploration. Once you’ve got it, the entire map opens up in ways you couldn’t access before. Plus, it’s just plain fun to use.
Prerequisites: What You Need Before Getting Psychic Grapple
The Psychic Grapple isn’t available until you’ve made serious progress through the game. Specifically, you need to unlock Vi-O-La IC Mode, which allows you to ride Vi-O-La across lava pools. If you’re following the main story, you’ll naturally be guided toward this, but here’s the full roadmap to get there:
Step-by-Step Prerequisites
1. Unlock Fire Shot and Enter Ice Belt
First, you need to get Fire Shot and use it to access the Ice Belt. Fire Shot lets you burn through those Fire Blockers that have been taunting you since the beginning of the game.
2. Defeat Keratos in the Ice Belt
Navigate through the Ice Belt (watch out for those Snow Wolves—they’re nasty) until you reach Keratos, the area’s boss. Beat this guy and you’ll unlock the Psychic Boost Ball, which is crucial for the next step.
3. Return to Volt Forge and Head to Tower 3
With Psychic Boost Ball in hand, make your way back to Volt Forge. You’ll want to navigate to Tower 3 specifically. If you need help finding your way, check out our guide on where to go after Volt Forge.
4. Use Psychic Boost Ball in the Spinner
In the first room of Tower 3, you’ll find a Spinner. Use your newly acquired Psychic Boost Ball inside it to unlock Vi-O-La IC Mode. This is the key that lets you finally cross those intimidating lava pools.
If you’re struggling with any of these steps, our beginner tips and tricks guide has some solid strategies to help you through.
How to Get Psychic Grapple: The Flare Pool Mission
Alright, you’ve got Vi-O-La IC Mode—now the real fun begins. Time to head to Flare Pool and face down one of the game’s more memorable boss encounters.
Getting to Flare Pool
Remember that massive lava pool in Flare Pool where you activated the bridge earlier? Now you can actually ride Vi-O-La across it in IC Mode. Cross the lava and enter the facility on the far side. From here, you’ll be working your way through the entire facility.
Rescuing the Galactic Federation Members
As you navigate through the Flare Pool facility, you’ll encounter a couple of Galactic Federation members who need rescuing. Don’t skip these encounters—they’re part of the main progression. Plus, it adds some nice story flavor to see Samus actually helping people for once.
The Phenoros Boss Fight
At the end of your journey through Flare Pool, you’ll face Phenoros—and this boss is no joke. The good news? Beat it and the Psychic Grapple is yours. The fight has two distinct phases, so let’s break down the strategy:
Phase 1: Target the Underside Orbs
In the first phase, you’ll need to:
- Ride alongside Phenoros using Vi-O-La
- Lock onto the orbs on its underside (they’re pretty obvious once you see them)
- Fire continuously at these orbs to damage them
Stay mobile during this phase. The boss moves around a lot, but as long as you keep pace and maintain your lock-on, you should be fine.
Phase 2: Head and Tongue Strategy
Once you transition to the second phase, the strategy shifts:
- Destroy the orbs on Phenoros’s head (aim carefully here)
- Wait for it to open its mouth and expose its tongue
- Fire at the tongue to deal damage
Here’s where it gets interesting: when Phenoros finally collapses, you need to:
- Activate your Psychic Visor
- Charge up a Psychic Beam
- Guide the beam down Phenoros’s throat to hit an orb inside
This finishing move is super satisfying to pull off. Once you nail it, Phenoros goes down for good, and the Psychic Grapple is yours!
Pro tip: Stock up on health and ammo before this fight. Phenoros hits hard, and you don’t want to be caught short during that final phase.
How to Use Psychic Grapple in Metroid Prime 4 Beyond
Now that you’ve earned the Psychic Grapple, let’s talk about actually using it. The mechanic is pretty intuitive once you get the hang of it.
Finding Grapple Nodes and Points
Grapple-compatible objects are marked with a distinctive grapple icon. You’ll start noticing them everywhere once you know what to look for. They come in two main varieties:
- Grapple Nodes: Fixed points you can attach to
- Grapple Points: Interactive points that often require swinging
Controls for Psychic Grapple
The controls are straightforward:
- Press and hold ZL to attach to a Grapple Node or Point
- Release ZL to detach
- Use the left joystick to swing while attached (this is crucial for momentum-based puzzles)
Mastering the Swing Mechanic
The swinging motion is where the Psychic Grapple really shines. You can build momentum by moving the joystick in the direction of your swing. This is essential for:
- Reaching distant platforms
- Crossing wide chasms
- Accessing secret areas with tight timing windows
Practice makes perfect here. The first few times might feel awkward, but once you get the rhythm down, you’ll be swinging through environments like a pro.
What to Do After Getting Psychic Grapple
With Psychic Grapple unlocked, several new areas open up across the map. Here’s what you should prioritize:
1. Backtrack for Collectibles
Now’s the perfect time to revisit earlier areas. All those Grapple Nodes you passed before are now accessible, and many of them hide valuable upgrades and missile expansions.
2. Progress Toward Thunder Shot
The Psychic Grapple is actually required to unlock the Thunder Shot, the final elemental ability in the game. You’ll need it to access the Thunder Chip location in Volt Forge.
3. Explore Previously Blocked Areas
Check your map for areas you couldn’t reach before. The Psychic Grapple opens up shortcuts and alternate routes throughout multiple regions, making navigation way more fluid.
4. Tackle Advanced Puzzles
Some of the game’s more complex environmental puzzles, like the Sacred Flame Ceremony, become much easier to solve with Grapple access.
Tips for Using Psychic Grapple Effectively
Here are some hard-earned tips to help you master the Psychic Grapple:
- Don’t rush your swings: Build momentum gradually rather than frantically jamming the joystick
- Look for chains of Grapple Points: Many areas require you to swing from multiple points in sequence
- Combine with Morph Ball: Some puzzles require you to use Morph Ball Bombs mid-grapple
- Use Scan Visor liberally: If you’re stuck, scan the environment to reveal hidden Grapple Points
- Practice timing: Some swings require precise timing to make the jump at the apex of your arc
Frequently Asked Questions
When can I unlock Psychic Grapple in Metroid Prime 4 Beyond?
You can unlock Psychic Grapple after obtaining Vi-O-La IC Mode and defeating Phenoros at the end of the Flare Pool facility. This typically happens after you’ve completed the Ice Belt and returned to Volt Forge.
What’s the difference between Psychic Grapple and Psychic Lasso?
Psychic Lasso (unlocked early) lets you pull and manipulate objects, while Psychic Grapple allows you to attach to Grapple Nodes and swing across gaps like a traditional grapple beam. They’re completely separate abilities with different uses.
How do I beat Phenoros to get the Psychic Grapple?
In Phase 1, ride alongside Phenoros and shoot the orbs on its underside. In Phase 2, destroy the head orbs, then fire at its tongue when exposed. Finish by activating Psychic Visor and guiding a charged beam down its throat to hit the internal orb.
Where can I use Psychic Grapple after unlocking it?
Psychic Grapple works on any object marked with a grapple icon. You’ll find these throughout the game in previously inaccessible areas, and it’s required to reach the Thunder Chip in Volt Forge. Use it to backtrack for collectibles and progress through later areas.
The Psychic Grapple is a total game-changer for exploration in Metroid Prime 4 Beyond. Once you’ve got it, the world feels twice as big, and you’ll finally be able to reach all those tantalizing spots you’ve been eyeing since the start. Now get out there and start swinging—and if you need help with other bosses or upgrades, we’ve got plenty more guides to help you out!
